By Ryan “Dickie” Thompson
Something rare just happened in Oregon. Students at Thurston High School in Springfield walked out of class to protest hate speech directed at conservative speaker Charlie Kirk. That alone is newsworthy. But what makes it even more powerful is where it happened.
Oregon is often seen as one of the most progressive (and often radical) states in the country. Portland’s reputation is well known for left-wing activism, riots, and “woke” ideology. Schools across the state are flooded with gender theory, critical race theory, and anti-capitalist messaging. So when a group of high school students stands up against this wave, it deserves our attention and support.
These students did something bold. They saw a school employee post online about Charlie Kirk being shot and respond with the word “Good.” That’s not just poor judgment. That’s hateful. That’s celebrating violence because someone has a different political view. The students knew this wasn’t right, and they didn’t stay quiet.
They organized and walked out.
They didn’t just post online. They showed up in person. They stood outside their school and said, “Enough.” That takes guts—especially in a place like Oregon where going against the dominant ideology can get you labeled as a bigot or worse. These kids took that risk anyway.
One student said in an interview, “If you’re going to be okay with murders, what else are you really okay with?” That’s a good question. When people start cheering for political violence, it’s not long before they excuse even worse behavior. The line has to be drawn, and these students drew it.
Let’s not forget what they were reacting to. Charlie Kirk was nearly killed in an attempted shooting at one of his events. Whether you agree with his views or not, the idea that someone could celebrate an attempted assassination is disgusting. Imagine the outrage if someone had said “Good” after a left-wing speaker was attacked. The media would go wild. But when it’s a conservative, many stay silent. These students didn’t.
Charlie Kirk is someone I admire. He speaks plainly. He believes in free markets, traditional values, and individual liberty. He isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo, and he doesn’t back down when people attack him—physically or otherwise. He’s helped millions of young people think differently about what they’re taught in school and college.
So when I see young people in Oregon—of all places—standing up for him and against political violence, I feel hope.
We’re told that Gen Z is lost. That they’ve been fully captured by woke ideology, obsessed with cancel culture, socialism, and government control. But clearly, that’s not the full story. These students proved that there are still young people who care about truth, fairness, and real justice. They’re not buying into the “all conservatives are evil” narrative. They’re smart enough to see the hypocrisy, and brave enough to call it out.
I’m proud of them. And more than that, I’m grateful.
The woke mind virus has infected too many institutions. It’s turned schools into political indoctrination centers. It teaches kids that their skin color determines their worth, that gender is a feeling, and that capitalism is the enemy. But that virus doesn’t always take. Some kids still think for themselves. And when they do, they push back hard.
The Thurston students aren’t just pushing back against one bad employee. They’re pushing back against a whole worldview that excuses hate if it comes from the “right” side. They’re rejecting the idea that violence is okay if it's against conservatives. They’re saying that every human life has value—even if you disagree with their politics.
The school district gave a weak response, saying the views “do not reflect the values of the district.” But there was no apology. No call for accountability. No show of real support for the students who stood up for civility. That’s why the walkout mattered. These students knew that silence from the top meant it was up to them to speak.
This wasn’t a left-wing protest. This wasn’t about identity or victimhood. This was about standing for truth and human dignity. It was about calling out real hate, not imaginary “microaggressions.” And it didn’t come from a politician or a media figure. It came from high schoolers who still believe that right and wrong matter.
To those students, I want to say: thank you.
You are the future of this country. You proved that there is still hope for freedom in places like Oregon. You reminded us that courage isn’t always loud—it can look like a group of teens standing outside their school, refusing to let hate go unchecked.
And to Charlie Kirk, keep going. You’ve inspired millions, and now you’ve inspired a whole new group of students to speak out. That’s what leadership looks like.
For everyone else watching, take note. The culture is shifting. Not everywhere, and not all at once. But seeds of truth are sprouting—even in the most unlikely soil.
The woke machine wants to crush independent thought. But as long as there are young people like the ones at Thurston High, that machine won’t win.
We’ve got to support these students. Not just with words, but with action. Let’s make sure they know they’re not alone. Let’s share their story. Let’s push back against the hate and hypocrisy they stood up to. And let’s remember: real change doesn’t always start in Washington. Sometimes, it starts in a high school courtyard in Oregon.
And sometimes, that’s exactly where the fight for freedom begins.
Sources:
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